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Interviews

INTERVIEW: Mark Robins assesses Friday's clash with County

The City boss looks ahead to the League Two Play-Off semi-final...

17 May 2018

Interviews

INTERVIEW: Mark Robins assesses Friday's clash with County

The City boss looks ahead to the League Two Play-Off semi-final...

17 May 2018

Manager Mark Robins says he wants the Sky Blue Army to be loud and proud at Meadow Lane as his side prepare to face Notts County in the second-leg of their play-off semi-finals.

The Sky Blues head to Nottingham level with their rivals after Marc McNulty's late penalty capped off an enthralling evening under the lights at the Ricoh.

"There is plenty of enthusiasm," said Robins.

"We have had a mixture of rest, recovery and training this week. Ever since the game finished on Saturday we have been looking forward to tomorrow.

"We played really well in the first leg and only made one of two mistakes, but sadly that cost us a goal.

"We need to send our supporters home happy. It will be a good game and it might even go all the way. We need to be prepared for that."

Defender Tom Davies will miss the second-leg after he was charged by the FA for a first-half stamp involving former City man Richard Duffy, meaning Davies will miss the next three games through suspension.

This has forced Robins to assess his options and choose a replacement for the former Pompey man.

"Tom Davies has been stupid and he has apologised. He has hurt himself big time. If we progress then he misses the final and if we do not then he misses the start of next season.

"There certainly was not any malice in the incident, he was just silly and he has been punished for it.

"He cannot blame anybody but himself for it and he has been punished accordingly by the powers that be and the club too.

"Apart from Tom, we have nothing new to report. On the injury front, there is nothing different. We still have the same long-term injuries. One is so tantalisingly close to getting back to fitness and he is just dangling there but we can't touch.

"Jodi Jones has gone away for a few days with his family. When we regroup for pre-season he should be almost ready to join in again."

Tickets for Friday night's clash are now sold out, with the Sky Blues bringing 4,500 supporters up the M1 knowing that a win will see them planning a day out at Wembley for the second time in two seasons.

"There is going to be a full stadium, and that is what we look forward to. The prize at the end of it is great and we have to make sure we get the process of getting to that right."

He added: "The supporters should be excited and they should come in full voice and get right behind the players and give them a lift. We could do with making their fans quiet, and going about our work diligently, professionally and clinically."


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